Hi Kiera,

How exciting! Not long to go now!

You could take some fav music to have played during the surgery if you are that way inclined. Speak to your Ob first to see if they are happy for it to be played - some surgeons like background music whilst others prefer a quiet theatre.

I actually took my maternity clothes to hosp with me - I wore my PJ's at night time and normal (maternity) clothes during the day so I could feel "normal".

How about writing some of your feelings down before the birth - it might help to prepare you mentally and emotionally for the next step of your journey.

Spend some time with your partner before the birth.

If you haven't already done so, organise some dinners to go into the freezer for when you come home (whether you make them or ask friends/family to do so is up to you).

About the nailpolish - it is really going to depend on the staff you're dealing with. The reason they might check your nailbeds with blood pressure issues is for capillary return - but they can check that on your arms/legs (but the result may be altered if you suffer edema). The other common reason anethetist's ask you to remove nail polish from your fingers is so the sat probe can get an accurate reading (the peg on your finger). There are mixed views on this in many hospitals as some believe the presence of nail polish makes no difference. If the anethetist says no nail polish for this reason, it will also mean no clear nailpolish as the theory is that the polish reflects the beam and screws up the reading. I have cared for plenty of women who have had nail polish on their nails and never had a problem with readings. And for what it is worth - I have never checked someone's nail beds for blood pressure issues. The only time I would check capillary return in nail beds is if they have had surgery which impacts on those limbs (such as knee reconstruction or shoulder reconstruction for the hands) or if they have had a surgical proceedure where the circulation may be affected. Of course, if you had an injury to a limb I would be checking it . SO, my advice would be to check with the Ob. I had a pedicure done a week before I was due (2 weeks before DD arrived) and didn't have to remove my nail polish.

HTH and looking forward to hearing about the birth of your little one!

MG